Marriage rate decreased, and divorce rate increased, according to data from Statistics Korea Tuesday.
Some 24,400 couples got married in April, and it’s a 12.2 percent decrease compared with last year.
Marriage rate is on downward streak since November last year. Youth unemployment made people insecure about their financial situation, resulting in fewer marriages, according to the report.
Divorce, however, is steadily increasing. Part of it is attributed to elderly choosing late-in-life divorce.
“Longevity is one factor. They don’t want to waste their time anymore, so putting up with the situation is getting optional,” explained an official from the office.
“Some women made the decision after national holidays when their stressful burden peaked,” he added.